Learning Capability and the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Developing Economies: The Role of Absorptive Capacity

Abstract

How to develop and enhance the effectiveness of external flow of knowledge and information to improve invention and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has becomes crucial to both researchers and managers. This study was designed to purposely examine empirically the influence of the absorptive capacity on the relationship of organizational learning capability and SMEs performance. A total of 206 valid questionnaires obtained from personal administration of the survey instrument on SMEs manager in Kano state Nigeria. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The result of the study indicates that learning capability significantly and positively relates to SMEs firms performance, equally learning capability positively relates with absorptive capacity. The study further established significant positive relationship between absorptive capacity and SMEs performance. Similarly, absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between learning capability and SMEs performance. The study conclude that experimentation, risk taking, external interaction, dialogue and participatory decision making influences SMEs knowledge acquisition, assimilation, transformation and application for better performance.